VIP System

Chapter 8 - System Users

"Hey, make way!" a woman's ragged voice echoed outside. "If you can stand there, continue to work instead."

The woman, Ranna, pushed through the crowd. She was a well-built swordswoman with a commanding presence, her voice carrying easily over the commotion. Ranna had known Amanda for years, their paths crossing in the aftermath of a failed adventure. Amanda saved Ranna's life when her party was defeated by a field boss. After that, Ranna's party disbanded, but she continued as an adventurer, joining several parties before eventually saving enough to buy farmland outside the capital. Over the years, she expanded her land and recruited people to work for her, but she never stopped practicing her skills.

Ranna's skin glistened with sweat as she reached Amanda's house, her breath coming in short gasps. The immense aura she felt moments ago was unlike anything she had experienced, even in the face of a field boss. It was as if an army of field bosses had descended upon them.

Ranna burst through the door of Amanda's home and immediately saw the mess. Blood and vomit stained the floor, and Amanda stood next to Leo, looking pale and sobbing softly.

Ranna's eyes narrowed as she took in the scene. She moved forward, her boots thudding against the wooden floor. "Amanda, what happened?" she demanded, her voice softer than usual but still firm. She noticed Amanda's dress was slightly tucked upwards and reached out to pull it back into place.

"I think you've done more than enough, Amanda," Ranna said gently. Amanda looked at her, a weak smile forming before she lost consciousness. Ranna caught her and carried her to the other bed, tucking her in with care. "You overexerted again," she muttered, brushing a stray lock of hair from Amanda's face. "Let me handle this for now."

After ensuring Amanda was comfortable, Ranna turned her attention to Leo. Her eyes squinted as she examined him closely. "I thought her gift should fit perfectly on you," she muttered. "Or did you just gain some muscles?" She looked around the room, taking in the chaotic scene. "And what the hell happened here?" she thought.

As Leo lay on the bed, his breathing was now steady but his body showing signs of the immense strain he had just endured. Ranna's experienced eyes picked up on the faint glow of residual magic around him. She frowned, recognizing the signs of a powerful spell.

"Sanctuary, Divine Restoration, and Greater Heal," she murmured, identifying the spells Amanda had used. She shook her head in amazement. "You really went all out, didn't you, Amanda?"

Ranna heard people talking outside and was about to go out when someone entered the house. A man stood proudly in the doorway, scanning the room with sharp, calculating eyes. He wore an outfit that immediately caught her attention—a bright red ensemble adorned with intricate dragon designs. The armor was sleek and imposing, with scales that shimmered like a dragon's hide. Every piece of his clothing screamed of his mastery over dragons, from the detailed embroidery to the imposing dragon emblem on his chest. A legendary spear, seemingly crafted from dragon fangs, rested on his back, its shaft etched with ancient runes and its deadly tip glinting with a menacing aura.

Ranna's eyes widened, and she immediately kneeled before him. "Dragon Lord," she greeted respectfully, her voice steady despite her racing heart. "What brings you to this humble home?"

The Dragon Lord did not answer her. He simply walked towards Leo and Amanda, his presence dominating the small room. A female demihuman, who had accompanied him, stepped forward to speak in his stead. She had ears and tails resembling those of a fox, which flicked elegantly as she moved. Her attire was simple yet seductive, hugging her body in a way that highlighted her curves.

"We sensed a lord-level monster in this area," the demihuman explained, her voice soft but commanding. "That is why we came to investigate."

Ranna looked at her, recognizing the dynamic. This demihuman must be the Dragon Lord's servant, bound to him by the societal norms of this world where slavery, especially of non-humans, was common. The demihuman's dress was simple yet provocative, tailored to accentuate her form without much effort.

"Lady Ranna," the demihuman continued, addressing her with surprising formality, "what happened here? Where is the monster?"

"I don't know where the monster is, milady," she began, her voice steady but respectful. "But I felt a powerful aura coming from this area. When I arrived, I found Amanda tending to Leo. There was no sign of a monster."

The demihuman's eyes narrowed slightly, her ears twitching with interest. "An aura that strong, and yet no monster?" she asked, her tone probing. "What could have caused it?"

The Dragon Lord leaned closer, examining Leo with a scrutinizing gaze. After a few moments, he sighed heavily and shook his head. "We wasted our time," he muttered, his voice filled with disappointment. "There's no trace of the aura we felt earlier. The boy on the bed is just a normal person."

Ranna's heart pounded in her chest, but she remained silent, hoping they wouldn't press further.

The Dragon Lord turned his gaze to his servant, a mocking smile curling his lips. "You thought a lord-level monster had appeared here?" he scoffed. "If it weren't for your looks, I would have fed you to my pets by now."

The demihuman servant flinched slightly, her ears flattening against her head, but she remained composed.

"No mere lord-level monster is that powerful," the Dragon Lord continued, his voice dripping with contempt. "That's the power of a system user. And I see no system user in this room."

Ranna felt a cold sweat trickle down her back. She had to tread carefully.

"We system users can verify if we see another system user," the Dragon Lord explained, his tone growing more serious. "Unless they are too powerful. There are a few system users whose powers I can't verify, but they are so powerful that they have their own kingdoms."

He cast a final disdainful glance at Leo and Amanda before turning away. "Let's go," he commanded his servant. "There's nothing of interest here."

The demihuman servant bowed slightly and followed him out, her tail swishing behind her. Ranna watched them leave, her mind racing with a mix of relief and dread.

After a while, Ranna called some of her men to help clean the house. They worked swiftly, removing the blood and vomiting, and tidying up the place. Once the cleaning was done, they left, but Ranna stayed behind, ensuring everything was in order before nighttime. She looked at the two still lying in their beds and sighed softly.

She moved to the kitchen and started preparing the food she had brought. As she sliced the vegetables, her mind drifted back to the events that had unfolded earlier. "Hero, my ass," she muttered under her breath.

Ranna's hands worked methodically as she remembered the past. Seth, now known as the Dragon Lord, had always been a bully and a womanizer. Coming from a wealthy family, he had access to the finest equipment and weapons, which only fueled his arrogance. Then, during a quest, he had received a system, which made him even worse and more powerful. He had even left his family, claiming they were unworthy of him.

Despite his power, Ranna knew he lacked real experience. Her keen eyes could easily distinguish between an adventurer who had earned their skills through hard work and one who relied solely on their equipment and system powers. Seth might be able to defeat her instantly with his abilities, but in a fair fight, he wouldn't stand a chance against her.

She glanced at Leo, pondering. "But not this one," she thought, studying his form. "Did Leo always have that body?" She couldn't remember, but now, he looked like an adventurer with years of experience. Shaking her head, she returned to cooking, the rhythmic chopping of vegetables grounding her thoughts.

Her mind wandered to other system users she respected, like the king of their kingdom. Not only was he powerful due to his system, but he was also a master swordsman. From her past quests, Ranna has learned that the system grants specific power upgrades. For example, the Dragon Lord System gave Seth access to dragon skills and abilities. The exact method of obtaining a system remained a mystery, but it was clear that no two systems were alike.

Ranna glanced over at Amanda, who was still resting. She sighed in relief. "It's a good thing Amanda was exhausted and not looking her best," she thought. "I don't know what I would have done if that Dragon Lord had tried to take advantage of her."

The kitchen is filled with the aroma of cooking food, blending with the soft glow of the evening light filtering through the windows. Ranna's thoughts settled as she focused on preparing a hearty meal for her friends.